Names of Jesus: Dec. 8

Names of Jesus: Dec. 8th

Hope is Born...

In the next three Sundays we will focus on the names of Jesus. Jesus is our Hope, our Joy our Love.

We will “unwrap” 12 names of Jesus that will help us better see and understand His Hope, His Joy and His Love.

We will place these names on these lines to remain up throughout the entire celebration of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

So let’s begin unwrapping the first name:

Jesus

Matthew 1:21 CSB

21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

The name Jesus is another way to say the Hebrew name Joshua, which means “the LORD is salvation.”

In the Old Testament, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan. He saved the people through courageous leadership, charging into battle upon battle, leading hundreds of thousands into the Promised Land. In contrast to the first Joshua, the second Joshua (Jesus) saved through an epic battle that He fought alone, quietly making the way for His people to enter the Promised Land of God’s presence.

Jesus came to save people from their sins. What the first Joshua was powerless to do, the second Joshua, Jesus, was born to accomplish.

Jesus was born to die.

King of Kings

Matthew 2:2 CSB

2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star at its rising and have come to worship him.”

At both the beginning and the end of Jesus’ physical life, Gentiles, non-Jews, proclaimed His kingship.

The wise men were the first non-Jews to seek out Jesus, and they came because the stars announced His birth in such a glorious manner that they concluded it must be for royalty.

Jesus is King. He came to rule what is rightfully His, both due to His lineage and His creation-ownership. Matthew dedicates the first part of Jesus’ narrative to His genealogy, carefully tracing His lineage to David’s royal blood. And Luke outlines Jesus’ family tree all the way back to Adam, son of God.

Light of the World

John 1:9 CSB

9 The true light that gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

Throughout Scripture, darkness often represents evil and falsehood while light represents goodness, truth, and holiness.

We naturally fill our homes with light and do our best to avoid dark places where danger may linger in the shadows.

Therefore it comes as no surprise that Jesus assumes this title: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” ().

But there is more to that statement than we may first realize. Jesus illuminates our lives with His brilliance, shining into every nook and cranny.

He reveals not only our sins but also all that is beautiful surrounding us.

He awakens our souls to see the history of redemption and the wonderful works of God all around us. As David says, “In your light we see light” ().

And finally, our last Name to “Unwrap” this morning:

The Christ (Messiah)

Matthew 2:4 CSB

4 So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Christ would be born.

“Christ” is the Greek translation of the Hebrew term Messiah, which means “the Anointed One.”

In Old Testament times, anointing signified being set aside for service, particularly as a king or priest.

Jesus came not as an anointed one but as THE Anointed One, both King and Priest, set apart not by any man but by God Himself.

All kings and priests before Jesus pointed to Him, prophets spoke of Him, the Magi brought gifts for Him, John the Baptist prepared the people for Him, and the Father anointed Him.

So gratefully we celebrate Him as the Christ, the Anointed One not just for Israel, but for all humankind who believe in Him.

Here’s what we must never forget. Who do we say Jesus is to each of us?

Is He Jesus, our salvation?

Is He the King of our life?

Is He the Light of our life?

Is He the Messiah, the Anointed One of our life?

What name do you call Him?

Let’s Pray.